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PIA News Service - Monday, November 25, 2013

Team Mindanao arrives in Tacloban City

By Venus L. Garcia

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 25 (PIA) – The team Mindanao of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) led by PIA Caraga regional director and Northern and Northeastern Mindanao cluster head Abner Caga has arrived on Sunday in this city.

PIA-8 regional director Erlinda Olivia Tiu was glad in welcoming the team during the courtesy call. Caga discussed to her the course of operation. “We are here for a purpose to provide appropriate information intervention. This is something that the team is most motivated of doing. A task that is tough but doable and would benefit members of the community,” Caga remarked.

The deployed team is camped at the Command Center inside LeyteProvincial Sport Complex where internatonal relief organizations and national agencies are likewise accomodated.

While driving around the city, Caga was able to interview the family of Jovita Miñoza. Miñoza said that the main concern of her family and the rest of the residents in the locality is the reconstruction of their houses. "We are asking support from the governmentt and other private sectors to help provide materials to rebuild our houses for our family to have a safe shelter," she said.

With the team’s systematic initiatives, they had successfully set up the agency’s official radio station, Power FM, under 101.1 FM band where updates on Tacloban operation and related interviews will be aired.

Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Sonny Coloma has the full support to the undertakings of team Mindanao.

Also, PIA director general Jose Mari Orquinena took the time to meet up the team. He said he truly appreciated the genuine efforts of each team member for possessing the power to take humanitarian activities.

“We are so determined to serve at a maximum extent of our capacity especially on situations that demand more of our services," said Caga. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

PIA’s Power FM now on-air in Tacloban City

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 25 (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Team Mindanao’s fm station is now on-air in this city to help in providing vital information to the public.

Power FM, the newest radio station operating out of portable radio transmitter commenced its operation around 3:50pm, Sunday and can be heard over 101.1 FM band. Its studio and transmitter can be found just beside the Command Center at Leyte Sports Complex.

“Power FM will not be your typical radio station because we will not just provide you with important information but also cool and soothing music,” said PIA Mindanao Team Leader and Northern and Northeastern Mindanao cluster head Abner Caga.

“One of our immediate interventions why we are here is to orient the people to utilize their cellphones as portable radio. Of course, this is our way of making our ‘Kababayans’ feel that life will get back to normal,” Caga said.

The station will be manned by personnel of PIA-Caraga and PIA-Eastern Visayas. (FEA/PIA-Caraga)

Caraga GADCC opens 18-Day Campaign to End VAW

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 25 (PIA) – The Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) chaired by Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Director Atty. Marylin Pintor officially opened today the start of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) held at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court, this city.

During the opening ceremony, Pintor reiterated that the campaign is aimed to increase support and commitment of duty bearers, at the national and local level, in eliminating violence against women; to sustain and improve policies, laws and mechanisms addressing VAW; and to forge partnerships among stakeholders in addressing VAW.

“With the theme, “End VAW Now! It’s our Duty!” the call will emphasize the importance of having a functional mechanism, operated by competent and capable dury-bearers with a sense of responsibility and accountability originating from a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of gender-based violence and the provisions of VAW laws,” said Pintor.

Pintor also urged everyone to be advocates against VAW and support the 18-Day Campaign to End Violance Against Women with lined-up activities from Nov. 25 to Dec. 12, 2013.

Also, representatives from government agencies lighted some candles and shared their prayers for healing of abused women and children and survival of Typhoon Yolanda victims in the country, among others.

"We continuously aim for a peaceful and more loving atmosphere at home and working harmoniously with the men in the community. This will not just be an 18-day campaign to end violence against women and children but this will be part of our daily living wherever we are," said Elizabeth Marie Calo, SP Board Member of Agusan del Norte, representing Gov. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba.

Meanwhile, Irene M. Santiago, Chair and CEO of Mindanao Commission on Women (MWC) and Mothers for Peace Convenor, led the Pledge against VAW with government workers. Participants vowed never to commit violence against women; never to condone violence against women; never to remain silent about VAW; and to join and support the government in its efforts to eliminate VAW. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Lily Larraga of DTI Leyte said that following the successful caravan last week where it generated a total sales of P512,000, “the agency has initiated another Diskwento Caravan where eight rolling trucks from Cebu will be coming to the city to sell basic discounted goods.”

In a related development, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Team Mindanao led by Northern and Northeastern Cluster Head and Caraga regional director Abner Caga will also set-up a free-cellphone charging station during the conduct of the caravan on Wednesday. (FEA/Team Mindanao/PIA-Caraga)

NSO prepares for the conduct of the 2013 FLEMMS

By Villa S. Bayotas

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 25 - The National Statistics Office (NSO) Caraga is set to conduct the 2013 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) starting on November 27, 2013.

The survey seeks to gather information on the basic and functional literacy status, and educational skills qualifications of the population and exposure to mass media. This is the fifth national survey of this kind that will be conducted by the NSO.

The previous rounds were conducted in 1989, 1994, 2003, and 2008. The 2013 FLEMMS is conducted in line with the government’s thrust to promote education policies and programs aimed at eradicating illiteracy in the country. The survey provides bases for implementing necessary interventions to eradicate illiteracy, especially in depressed and undeserved areas.

Basically, the survey aims to measure the simple literacy levels of the population; to measure the functional literacy levels of the population; and to determine the education and skills qualification of the population.

Specifically, the objectives of the 2013 FLEMMS are: to estimate the proportion of the population 10 years old and over who are basically literate; to estimate the proportion of the population 10-64 years old who are functionally literate and to determine their socio-economic characteristics; to determine the educational skills qualifications of the population in terms of formal schooling; and to determine the mass media exposure on the population.

About 26,000 sample housing units nationwide will be visited and interviewed in the 2013 FLEMMS. This sample size will allow the generation of reliable estimates of indicators indicated in this survey. An Individual Self-Administered Questionnaire (FLEMMS Form 2), will be administered to household members 10 to 64 years old regardless of their educational attainment.

In Caraga, NSO Field Staff and selected trained Statistical Researchers will do a comprehensive door-to-door interview to the sample households during enumeration period. NSO assured the respondents that all information furnished to the SRs are strictly confidential and shall not be used as evidence in court for purposes of taxation, regulation or investigation as provided for in Section 4 of Commonwealth Act No. 591. (NCLM/NSO-13/PIA-Caraga)